Feb 1 AM
"PRAYER"
The Power Of Prayer
INTRODUCTION
1. Jesus anticipated that people would become slack in their prayers...
a. Telling the parable of the persistent widow, that people might
always pray - Lk 18:1-7
b. Wondering if He would find faith on earth (i.e., people praying)
when He returned - Lk 18:8
2. Paul frequently exhorted Christians to be diligent in their
prayers...
a. "praying always with all prayer and supplication..." - Ep 6:18
b. "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with
thanksgiving" - Col 4:2
c. "Pray without ceasing" - 1Th 5:17
I. EXAMPLES OF THE POWER OF PRAYER
A. THERE IS FORGIVENESS FROM GOD...
1. The Christian can find forgiveness through the blood of Christ
- 1Jn 1:7-10
2. Thus the erring Christian is told to repent and pray - Ac 8:22
Don't you want the assurance of knowing that your sins are
forgiven?
B. THERE IS PEACE FROM GOD...
1. The antidote to anxiety is to pray - Php 4:6
2. The Christian will find their hearts and minds guarded by the
peace of God - Php 4:7
Don't you want the peace of mind and heart that surpasses
understanding?
C. THERE IS STRENGTH FROM GOD...
1. Paul prayed that the Ephesians might be strengthened in the
inner man - Ep 3:14-16,20
2. When we need to be strong, Christians can likewise pray for
themselves!
Don't you want the power that is beyond our comprehension?
D. THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FROM GOD...
1. Paul realized that God provided him opportunity to teach others
- 1Co 3:5 (NASB)
2. He knew that the Lord often opened doors for such opportunities
- 1Co 16:9; 2Co 2:12
3. He therefore requested prayer that such opportunities would
continue - Col 4:3
Don't you want the Lord to give you opportunity to lead others
to Christ?
E. THERE IS BOLDNESS FROM GOD...
1. When the apostles needed boldness, they prayed and God
delivered - Ac 4:23-31
2. When Paul needed boldness, he asked for prayers in his behalf
- Ep 6:19-20
Don't you want boldness when you speak to others about Christ?
F. THERE IS WISDOM FROM GOD...
1. Wisdom is not knowledge, but insight that makes the best use of
the knowledge one has
2. The Christian is promised wisdom through prayer without doubt
- Jm 1:5-8
Don't you want the wisdom that comes from above?
G. THERE IS HEALING FROM GOD...
1. Those who are sick should ask elders to pray for them - Jm 5:
14-15
2. Those who have sinned should confess, and we should pray for
one another - Jm 5:16
Don't you want the aid of God whenever in need of physical or
spiritual healing?
H. THERE IS TRANQUILITY FROM GOD...
1. The Scriptures proclaim God has ultimate control over the
nations - Dan 4:17; Ro 13:1-7
2. Thus we are commanded to pray for our rulers, that we may lead
a quiet (tranquil, ASV) and peaceable life - 1Ti 2:1-4
Don't you want to live in peace and tranquility, and for others
to as well?
CONCLUSION
1. The power of prayer can indeed be a blessing...
a. To the one who prays in faith
b. For those for whom prayers are offered
2. There is help in time of need from God...
a. We have a wonderful High Priest who understands our problems - He 4:14-15
b. Thus we can at anytime approach God boldly in prayer, to obtain
mercy and find grace to help in time of need - He 4:16
Don't you want mercy and grace whenever needed, for yourself and
for others?
3. Indeed, the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man (cf. Ja
5:16)...
a. "avails much" (NKJV)
b. "can accomplish much (NASB)
c. "has great power" (ESV)
d. "is powerful and effective" (NIV)
If such is true of one righteous man, how about the prayers of
many righteous?
4. Do we believe in the power of prayer...?
a. Then let us pray always
b. Let us continue earnestly in prayer
-- Yes, let us "pray without ceasing" (1Th 5:17)!
Feb 8 AM
"PRAYER"
The Privilege Of Prayer
INTRODUCTION
1. In "The Power Of Prayer" we saw where prayer can provide...
a. Forgiveness from God e. Boldness from God
b. Peace from God f. Opportunity from God
c. Strength from God g. Healing from God
d. Wisdom from God h. Tranquility from God
2. Yet "The Privilege Of Prayer" is not available to all who pray; for
some...
a. Their prayers will be an abomination to God
b. Their prayers will fall on deaf ears
c. Their prayers will be hindered
d. Their prayers will not be answered favorably
I. FOR WHOM PRAYER IS NOT A PRIVILEGE
A. THOSE WHO WILL NOT HEED GOD'S WORD...
1. Those who turn their ears from the law, their prayers are anf
abomination - Pro 28:9
2 Such is the case of those who will not endure sound doctrine
- cf. 2 Ti 4:3-4
If we will not listen to God, why should He listen to us?
B. THOSE WHOSE SINS SEPARATE THEM FROM GOD...
1. Sins can separate one from God so He will not hear - Isa 59:1-2
2. Such is the condition of those who will not seek God's
forgiveness - Ro 6:23
If we reject God's forgiveness of sins, can we expect Him to
listen to us?
C. THOSE WHO FAIL TO TREAT OTHERS JUSTLY...
1. Who fail to consider the poor - Psa 41:1-3
2. Who fail to treat their wives as they should - Mal 2:13-14;
1 Pe 3:7
3. Who fail to make things right with those they have offended
- Mt 5:23-24
3. Who fail to forgive those who sinned against them - Mt 18:21-35
If we will not treat others justly, how can we hope to receive
God's mercy?
D. THOSE WHO PRAY WITHOUT FAITH...
1. Without faith it is impossible to please God - He 11:6
2. Asking with doubt in our hearts ensures failure - Ja 1:5-8
If we doubt God's existence and ability to provide, why should
God answer us?
II. FOR WHOM PRAYER IS A PRIVILEGE
A. THE SINNER SEEKING TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS...
1. This we learn from the example of Cornelius
a. He was a good man, but still in need of salvation - Ac 10:
1-2; cf. 11:14
b. His prayers and alms had been noticed by God - Ac 10:4,31
c. Thus God saw to it that he had an opportunity to hear the
words whereby he could be saved (i.e., the gospel of Christ)
- Ac 11:14
2. Note well: he was not saved by praying per se!
a. He needed to hear "words" by which he would saved - Ac 11:14
b. I.e. the gospel of Christ, which is God's power to salvation
- Ro 1:16
c. Just as Saul of Tarsus was still in his sins, despite
praying - cf. Ac 9:11; 22:16
3. Yet God heard the prayer of a sinner like Cornelius
a. Who was hungering and thirsting for righteousness - cf. Mt
5:6
b. Who was asking, seeking, knocking - cf. Mt 7:7-8
c. Providing an opportunity to one day hear and obey the gospel
of Christ
For a sinner seeking truth and righteousness, such prayers will
be heard!
B. THE CHRISTIAN WITH JESUS AS THEIR HIGH PRIEST...
1. Jesus has become our High Priest
a. He is now a merciful and faithful high priest, able to aid
His brethren - He 2:17-18
b. Making it possible to approach God's throne boldly - He 4:
14-16
c. Able to save to the uttermost, since He ever lives to
intercede - He 7:25
2. Jesus has now become our Advocate and Mediator
a. Our advocate with the Father - 1 Jn 2:1
b. The one mediator between God and man - 1 Ti 2:5
c. Who makes intercession for us at the right hand of God - Ro
8:34
Such is the blessing of those who have put on Christ in baptism
and become children of God through faith (cf. Ga 3:26-27)
CONCLUSION
1. The ears of the Lord are open to the prayer of the righteous...
- 1 Pe 3:12
a. We must submit to the righteousness of God offering in Christ
- cf. Ro 10:1-4
b. I.e., we must respond to the gospel of Christ - cf. Ro 1:16-17
2. If we desire "The Privilege Of Prayer", then we must be either...
a. A faithful child of God through obedience to Jesus Christ
b. An sinner with a good and noble heart, seeking after truth and
righteousness
Feb 15 AM
"PRAYER"
The Principles Of Prayer
INTRODUCTION
1. In "The Privilege Of Prayer" we saw that few truly benefited from
prayer...
a. Children of God, who became such through obedience to Jesus Christ
b. Sinners seeking after truth and righteousness, who will be heard
in that God will provide them opportunity to hear and obey the
truth
2. The full benefit of prayer comes only as "The Principles Of Prayer"
are observed...
a. Principles laid down by Jesus and His inspired apostles
b. Principles that determine the final outcome of our prayers
I. WE MUST PRAY IN FAITH
A. PRAYER REQUIRES FAITH...
1. "And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you
will receive." - Mt 21:22
2. Otherwise, prayer will not be answered - cf. Jm 1:5-8
B. FAITH IN GOD...
1. That He is, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him
- He 11:6
2. Such faith comes from the Word of God - Ro 10:17
II. WE MUST PRAY WITH HUMILITY
A. HUMILITY BEFORE GOD...
1. A virtue highly valued by God - Isa 57:15; 66:1-2
2. The Lord is near, and saves those with contrite spirits - Psa 34:18
3. He gives grace to the humble - Pr 3:34
B. HUMILITY IN PRAYER...
1. Exemplified in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax
collector - Lk 18:9-14
2. Humility leads to exaltation by God - Lk 18:14; Jm 4:10
III. WE MUST PRAY IN HARMONY WITH GOD'S WILL
A. GOD'S WILL AND OUR PRAYERS...
1. Prayers are answered favorably if we ask "according to His
will" - 1Jn 5:14
2. Prayers more concerned with our will than God's are turned down
- Jm 4:3
B. HIS WILL BE DONE...
1. So Jesus taught us to pray - Mt 6:9-10
2. So He prayed in the garden at Gethsemane - Lk 22:42
3. Such praying made easier when our will is to do God's will
- cf. Jn 4:34
IV. WE MUST PRAY WITH THANKSGIVING
A. PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING...
1. "giving thanks always for all things to God" - Ep 5:20
2. "in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving"
- Php 4:6
3. "...prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving" - Col 4:2
4. "pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks" - 1Th 5:
17-18
B. THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE...
1. God's people were always to be thankful - Ps 100:4; Col 3:15
2. Ingratitude an indication of apostasy - Ro 1:21; 2Ti 3:2
V. WE MUST PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS
A. PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS...
1. Taught by Jesus Himself to His disciples - Jn 14:13-14; 16:23
2. Commanded by Paul to the Christians at Ephesus - Ep 5:20
B. THE NAME OF JESUS AND PRAYER...
1. Means more than simply adding "in Jesus' name" at the end of
our prayers
2. We acknowledge Jesus as the only way by which we can approach
God - Jn 14:6
3. We recognize Him as our "high priest" who intercedes for us
- He 7:24-25; Jn 14:13
CONCLUSION
1. In summary, "The Principles Of Prayer" we have examined are these...
a. We must pray in faith
b. We must pray with humility
c. We must pray in harmony with the will of God
d. We must pray with thanksgiving
e. We must pray in the name of Jesus
2. We cannot overestimate the value of the Word of God in regards to
these principles...
a. Faith comes from the Word of God
b. Humility is learned by reading the Word of God
c. Knowing the will of God is impossible without the Word of God
d. Thanksgiving is made easier when we read of our blessings in the
Word of God
e. The importance of having Jesus as our High Priest is revealed in
the Word of God
Feb 22 AM
"PRAYER"
The Persistence Of Prayer
INTRODUCTION
1. In our study on "The Principles Of Prayer", we surveyed several
essential principles...
a. We must pray in faith d. We must pray with thanksgiving
b. We must pray with humility e. We must pray in the name of Jesus
c. We must pray in harmony
with the will of God
2. There is another principle of prayer worthy of careful
consideration...
a. We must pray with persistence
b. A principle of prayer that was very important to Jesus
I. TEACHINGS OF PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER
A. THE PARABLE OF THE PERSISTENT FRIEND...
1. Told in connection with a request for teaching on prayer - Lk 11:1
2. Following instruction providing a model for prayer - Lk 11:2-4
3. The parable itself, easy enough to understand - Lk 11:5-8
4. Followed with an emphasis on being persistent in asking,
seeking, knocking - Lk 11:9-10
Note how persistence is connected to learning how to pray!
B. THE PARABLE OF THE PERSISTENT WIDOW...
1. Told that men always ought to pray and not lose heart - Lk 18:1
2. The parable itself, illustrating the value of persistent
requests - Lk 18:2-5
3. Adding that God will certainly heed His chosen who cry out day
and night - Lk 18:6-8a
4. Followed by concern for whether such faith will be found when
He returns - Lk 18:8b
Note how persistence is related to having faith in the Lord!
C. THE TEACHING OF PAUL...
1. "... continuing steadfastly in prayer" - Ro 12:12
2. "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
being watchful to this end with all perseverance and
supplication for all the saints" - Ep 6:18
3. "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with
thanksgiving;" - Col 4:2
4. "pray without ceasing" - 1Th 5:17
Note how often persistence in mentioned in exhortations to
pray!
II. EXAMPLES OF PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER
A. JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE...
1. When deeply distressed over His impending suffering - Mt 26:
36-39
2. While His closest disciples slept, he prayed three times - Mt 26:40-44
3. In which He received the necessary help to face what lay ahead
- Mt 26:45-47
a. Strengthened by an angel; cf. Lk 22:41-44
b. Heard by God, though His actual request was not answered
- cf. He 5:7
If the Son of God needed persistence in prayer, do not we?
B. PAUL AND HIS THORN IN THE FLESH...
1. Paul endured the infirmity of persecution - 2Co 11:30-33;
12:7,10; cf. Judg 2:3
2. He prayed three times that it might be removed - 2Co 12:8
3. It was not, but the Lord provided what he needed
a. Sufficient grace and the strength of Christ to endure - 2 Co 12:9
b. Enabling him to even take pleasure in his infirmities - 2 Co 12:10
If the apostle of Christ needed persistence in prayer, do not
we?
C. THE PRAYERS OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS...
1. The church in Jerusalem continued steadfastly in prayer - Ac 2:42
2. When Peter was imprisoned, constant prayer was offered for him
- Ac 12:5,12
3. Epaphras labored fervently in prayer for his brethren at
Colosse - Col 4:12
4. Widows were assumed to be devoted to prayer - 1Ti 5:5 (like
Anna, cf. Lk 2:36-37)
If the early church needed persistence in prayer, do not we?
CONCLUSION
1. With such examples and teaching on persistence in prayer...
a. The importance of persistence cannot be overemphasized
b. Persistence in general (keep praying!); persistence in particular
(don't ask just once!)
2. Note well: persistence does not ensure God answers we may desire...
a. Jesus still had to drink the cup of suffering by going to the
cross
b. Paul still had to bear his thorn in the flesh by enduring
persecution for Christ
3. Yet persistence in prayer is key to receiving answers we need...
a. Grace and mercy to help in time of need
b. Strength to endure whatever it is we must face
